Although Halloween can be an exciting time for many, it can be a frightening time for kids with sensory processing issues, especially those with special needs.  The novelty of the holiday and unexpected factors can lead to anxiety.  Keeping routines as normal as possible is helpful. Costumes can be irritating and wearing masks or make-up […]

The morning can be the hardest part of the day. Not only do you (the often exhausted parent) have to get yourself up and ready, you have to get your child up, dressed, fed, prepared for the day and out the door when the bus arrives. Establishing a morning routine is essential to achieve success. […]

Leisure activities like going to the movies or a baseball game are supposed to be fun for the whole family.  However, for an individual with special needs, these activities can be overwhelming at times. In addition, they can be unnerving for parents due to the many “what if’s.”  While some venues may be inappropriate, there […]

Going to the doctor or dentist can be an extremely stressful event for a parent as well as a child.  There are many factors that can dis-regulate a child and/or bring on a feeling of anxiety.  For example, the unstructured time in the waiting room along with the presence of unfamiliar faces can be difficult […]

Although winter is clearly still here, now is the right time to be registering your child for summer camp! While the Phoenix Center offers an extended school year program (ESY) for the month of July, August is often a difficult time for many of our families.  Downtime without much structure often presents challenges for many […]